Wedding Reception at the Hotel Monaco in SLC

Often, as a wedding photographer, I am brought in to photograph just the wedding reception. Before gay marriage was legal in Utah, often couples would marry out of state and then return to have a wedding reception with friends and family here in Utah.

In the case of Frank and Preston, the couple had married during the brief 2 week period of time that gay marriage was legal and before the stay was issued, halting all marriage licenses. Well, they wanted to have a party to celebrate!

Wedding invitation for Preston & Frank

The wedding was a package from the Hotel Monaco and it was actually a prize during a silent auction at the Hotel Monaco’s Red Party. I even volunteered my wedding photography skills to add some value to the wedding package. The package itself included overnight stays for a number of guests, cake, food, DJ, invitations, and more. All you would need for a wedding and reception.

Hair stylist

So these are the photos of the day of their wedding reception. I photographed the grooms as they got ready for the reception and then photographed the party itself including a cake cutting that included the traditional smashing of the cake.

The Hotel Monaco provided champagne to the room. If you haven’t had the chance to stay there for a night you are missing out. It is an excellent place to stay even for a staycation.

Champagne in the Hotel room

Hotel Monaco’s Moose

These are the groom’s matching patent leather shoots. Their suits, belts, and shoes all matched. The men’s ties were different colors. The colors were matched to the wedding reception’s purple and blue… inspired by the peacock feather.

Patent Leather Shoes

Toast with the groomsmen

Groom gets ready

Grooms read the card on a wedding gift

Tying the tie

Now that gay marriage is legal in Utah… I would encourage that you get married and have your reception all in one place! And I would love to photograph your special day… including engagement photos, bridals, groomals, formals, or whatever fits your style. The fun thing about gay marriage is the chance to buck normal and do something unique.

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About Me

About dav.d

I'm a photographer based in Utah. One day I am photographing a wedding, the next day it might be a commercial shoot. I've even started to dabble in creating short videos. I'm a digital unicorn... unicorns are real.